The princes and the BBC

Rightly or wrongly our royal family share with the BBC the distinction of being one of Britain's most internationally admired  institutions.  That being the case Princes William and Harry may come to regret their outspoken welcomes for Lord Dyson's highly critical report on the BBC in relation to Martin Bashir's interview with their mother in 1995.

Of course those of us who have not experienced similar family disruptions cannot begin to understand the pain  the two boys must have experienced at the time, and which they still feel.  Psychologists tell us that all children see their parents, even those that are not  potential kings and queens, as magic figures who can solve any problem. 

To see these magic figures  reduced to common humanity by a marriage break-up followed by divorce is a shattering experience.  For  that to be followed by the death of one's mother in an accident caused by others  compounds the distress.

We are told by those who pretend to know that both princes, and particularly Prince Harry,  are resentful of media intrusion into their lives.

They need to be careful what they wish for.  What would be most harmful to the prestige of the royal family would be if  the media, and hence the public,  stopped taking much notice of their affairs.

As readers of  Barwise and York's thoroughly researched book "The War Against the BBC" know,  the Corporation is currently in grave danger from  Conservative Governments who are looking for  excuses to cl[p its wings, have already  reduced its funding by 30% since 2010, and are hoping to create space for its commercial rivals of the Fox News type.

The BBC needs friends

The BBC can be relied upon for a reverential attitude towards to the royal family.  The princes would be well advised, despite their justifiable distress, not to bite the hand that helps to feed them. 

 

Post script (added 25th May)

The Guardian failed to print my letter pointing out the hypocrisy of the government which has seized power through  duplicity, distortion, false promises  and downright lying should wax so indignantly about this 26 year old error of the BBC.  However I don't complain as this letter from a Mike Temple of Sidmouth, Devon put it more succinctly:

 It is reassuring to learn that Boris Johnson is "obviously very concerned" about lying, deceit and cover-ups.(Guardian letters 24th May)